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Toomey/Warner Tariff Bill a Sound Move to Restore Congressional Trade Authority

(Arlington, VA) – Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) have joined with 9 other Senators from both parties in introducing S. 287, the bipartisan Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act. This legislation would require Congressional approval before imposition of “national security” tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. It would also incorporate a definition of “national security” into the law, and require the Department of Defense to conduct these national security investigations, instead of the Department of Commerce, as is the case currently. Similar legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Kind (D-WI) and Gallagher (R-WI).

 

Daniel Garza, President of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:

“No one is hurt by unnecessary government taxes more than low-income workers and families. Tariffs are nothing but taxes imposed on a broad range of imported products – and American workers and families pay when those taxes are passed along to the consumer. For that reason our leaders should strive to eliminate them as soon as possible.

The legislation introduced by Senators Toomey and Warner and their colleagues will help to restore Congressional accountability for these taxes imposed on Hispanics families and others. It will also make the process for imposing these tariffs more rigorous and transparent. These are all positive steps, and we encourage Congress to approve this important legislation.”

For interviews with a representative from the LIBRE Initiative, please contact Brian Faughnan, 202-805-1581 or Wadi Gaitan, 202-853-4433

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